| Infertile and confused what to do about it? You're not | | | | lift the space between them at the base of the neck |
| alone. According to the World Health Organisation, | | | | up into the torso. Stay in the pose for about half a |
| about 15 per cent of couples seek medical help for | | | | minute a one minute. Exhale gently and roll your spine |
| fertility issues. | | | | slowly onto the floor. |
| But in addition to traditional and innovative medical | | | | Padmasana or Lotus Pose |
| intervention, some people are seeking out the | | | | There are three poses to stimulate and relax the |
| health-enhancing benefits of yoga to help with | | | | abdominal and reproductive areas. One of these is the |
| conception. A Harvard based study found that women | | | | lotus pose. Begin by placing yourself in a sitting position, |
| who were trying for a baby were three times more | | | | legs straight out in front of you. Next, bend down and |
| likely to conceive if they took fertility focussed yoga | | | | pull your right leg up, curving at the hip joint instead of |
| courses than those who did not. | | | | the knee. Rest your right foot in the crook of your left |
| Fertility focused yoga poses (asana's) are suggested | | | | arm and relax. Slowly place your right foot on top of |
| to reduce stress and effect the entire endocrine | | | | your left thigh with your right knee on the floor. Draw |
| system in what is believed to be a beneficial way. | | | | your left leg and repeat the steps. Following that, sit |
| They are also believed to cause an increase in energy | | | | with your legs crossed and place each of your hand |
| in the pelvis (apana). | | | | and fingertips at the top of each knee. Remember at |
| Balasana or Child's Pose | | | | each practice, to alternate the cross of the outer leg |
| Before beginning any type of pose, knowing the Child's | | | | so as to not place too much stress on your hip joint. |
| Pose is essential. This pose allows the body to release | | | | Salamba Sirsasana or Supported Headstand |
| tension and to seek balance. Firstly, kneel down and sit | | | | Salamba Sirsasana, or supported headstand as it is |
| on your heels with your arms at your sides. Inhale and | | | | known globally, is a pose that is strengthens the whole |
| then exhale. Upon exhaling, bend forward, allowing your | | | | body, reduces symptoms of asthma and insomnia and |
| chest to rest on your thighs. Then slide your arms | | | | even relaxes the mind to relieve stress. It stimulates |
| back along your body and place our forehead on the | | | | the hormones too. It is advisable to practice this pose |
| floor. Next, focus on your breathing. Stay in this pose | | | | against a wall to avoid placing too much weight on the |
| for a minute or so, until you feel the tension release. | | | | head and neck. |
| Setu Bandha Sarvangasana or Bridge Pose | | | | Firstly begin in the Balasana's pose. Next, keeping your |
| Another pose that stimulates the hormones is the | | | | hands together, place your forearms on the floor with |
| Bridge Pose. Lie on the floor and bend your knees. | | | | your head between your fingers. Breathe in and move |
| Setting your feet on the floor, make sure your heels | | | | your feet closer to your head with your heels up and |
| are as near the sitting bones as possible. Exhale and | | | | shoulder blades down into your back. Breathe out and |
| press your inner feet and arms into the floor. At the | | | | lift your legs up together. Trust your legs upwards and |
| same time, push your tailbone upwards, towards the | | | | unfolding them at the knees with your toes pointed. |
| pubis, firming the buttocks and lift your buttocks off the | | | | Try not to arch your back. To avoid applying pressure |
| floor. Clasp your hands below the pelvis and extend | | | | to the tailbone, stretch your legs upward. This pose |
| them through your arms to enable you to remain on | | | | should be held for 10 seconds or more. Gently end this |
| the tops of your shoulders. | | | | pose by curling our legs down in a fluid motion and |
| The buttocks are lifted until the floor and your thighs | | | | releasing yourself back into the Child's Pose. |
| are parallel. Keep your knees directly over the heels | | | | If doing these alone can seem rather dispiriting, get |
| but push them forward, away from the hips. Lift your | | | | your partner to join in! Not only would it seem more |
| pubis towards your navel. Next, lift up your chin slightly | | | | interesting, the relationship is also being strengthened at |
| away from the sternum and firm your shoulder blades | | | | the same time. Care should be taken when attempting |
| against your back. Press the top of the sternum | | | | any yoga pose, especially for beginners. Such poses |
| towards your chin. Your outer arms should be firm and | | | | are best done with the support of an experienced |
| the shoulder blades broadened. Thereafter, attempt to | | | | yoga teacher. Have fun and enjoy! |